The Smoky Valley USD 400 Facilities Committee met Monday afternoon in Lindsborg to continue discussions on how best to utilize the resources left over in Marquette's former school building now that it has been closed, and a timeline for a possible sale of the facility.

The meeting began with a report that someone gained access to the facility over the weekend and drew some graffiti on one of the white boards, but that was easily erased and otherwise no damage was reported. Security footage will be looked at to see if the people responsible can be identified.

The only item that will be sent immediately to the USD 400 Board of Education for potential approval at its next meeting August 18th is the disposition of the playground equipment. The City of Marquette has requested that the equipment be given to them to be put in their park, or in a new park to be built elsewhere in town. The committee reached a consensus that the board should consider allowing the City to take the equipment, provided that they level out the ground after doing so, as the school district really doesn't have an efficient way to move the equipment for use at other attendance centers.

Also recommended by the committee was that a representative from the City of Marquette come and speak to them about potential plans for the building if the City would purchase it. The building has not been officially listed for sale, but the committee would like to hear from the City before deciding on further action in that regard.

If the City has a proposal put together that the Board can consider, or if another potential buyer comes forward, either way the earliest that the building might be up for sale is this spring, with a goal of making a final decision on the building's disposition by June of 2015.

The gymnasium in Marquette will still be available for use by the recreation commission there for this sports season, provided that the gym is kept in decent condition by those using it.

The next meeting of the facilities committee was scheduled for 5 p.m. September 29th in Lindsborg.